Ride into one of the last truly wild frontiers. This Zavkhan horse trek takes you through Mongolia’s untouched steppe, alpine meadows, dense forests, and sacred mountains — far from tourist routes, deep into nomadic heartlands.
Your journey begins with a rugged overland trip from Ulaanbaatar to Zavkhan, followed by nine days on horseback. You’ll cross river valleys, climb mountain passes, gallop across open steppe, and sleep under skies so clear you’ll count constellations.
This is more than a trek — it’s a full immersion into Mongolia’s nomadic rhythm, guided by herders whose families have roamed these lands for centuries. You’ll ride hardy Mongolian horses, cook over campfires, and wake to the sound of the steppe.
If you want to truly live Mongolia, not just visit it — this is your trek.
Ulaanbaatar
In Ulaanbaatar:
Two nights of accommodation are included, typically in a private room where possible.
If you require additional nights before or after the trip, we’re happy to advise.
During the Trek:
Accommodation is primarily in private hiking tents — no single supplement required.
Some nights may include other forms of rustic or local accommodation as needed.
This is a wilderness camping experience, with riverside campsites, remote valleys, and shared campfire meals under the stars.
Expect basic comfort, stunning locations, and a real connection to the land — not luxury.
The exact route taken will be weather dependent (for example snow can block the mountain passes). Also we explore new trails with the right group of riders. This Trip Plan is an example of the route we may take. Think of the trek as non-itinerised.
Arrive in Ulaanbaatar. We meet you at the airport/train station and take you to your hotel. You are free to explore this fascinating city before we gather for an evening meal and meet your fellow riders.
Drive west to Kharkhorin, site of the ancient capital of the Mongolian Empire, where we will stay the night in traditional gers (yurts) at a local camp. Visit 16th century Erdene Zuu monastery.
Continue on to Terkhiin Tsagaan Nuur, the Great White Lake, a beautiful area surrounded by steppe and volcanic hills. Visit Tsetserleg’s bustling market along the way, a mini-version of Ulaanbaatar’s Black Market, but without the pick-pockets. Stay in traditional gers once again.
Drive on to reach Zavkhan in the afternoon, where we set up a river-side camp, and meet the horses. We start with a safety briefing and pointers about the local riding style, and then begin matching you to your ideal horse. You can ride around the immediate area and have your first taste of riding Mongolia-style.
A longer day ride around the area (a mix of forest and steppe) will allow you to decide if you and your horse have bonded. We also take along spare horses on the trek, available any time you would like to try something faster (or slower).
Ride south, up the broad Khojuul river valley, to meet the support vehicle with your luggage and camping equipment at Agtiin Am (‘valley of thyme‘) campsite. Along the way we ride through an area of sand dunes, the perfect opportunity for less experienced riders to try a faster pace. The horses love to gallop over the sand, but eventually they tire – and if you fall off it’s a soft landing!
Reach Ulaan Chuluu (‘red rocks’) campsite on the edge of Tarvagaatai Nuruu National Park. This area is particularly popular with nomadic herders who graze their yaks on the lush pastures. There’s time to stop and visit friends along the way and taste delicious yak yogurt and other local delicacies which may challenge your palate.
Ride high in to the National Park where the landscape quickly becomes alpine, leaving the forested valley behind. If the weather gods favour us, we can reach Nogoo Nuur (Green Lake), a spectacular caldera high in the mountains. Visit an old hot spring for a well-earned soak. Abandoned at the end of socialist times, it has now been rediscovered by local people.
Cross over the mountain range via a horse-only trail, and drop down to Dukhii Hyasar camp, where we often stay two nights. Hike in to the surrounding hills to look for hidden caves – during the dark days when monks were persecuted, they found refuge here. We once found a cave containing old Buddhist prayer scrolls – they are still there somewhere! It’s also a great place to swim, fish, look for wildlife such as elk and wild boar, take a short ride, or just relax with a good book.
Continue down-river to Kharkhoit camp. The wildflowers through here in early summer are truly spectacular, with many wild varieties of species you may recognise from your own garden. Herders migrate to this area later in the year, so the lush meadows are a feast for the horses.
As we ride down out of the mountains, the landscape opens up to vast steppe once again. You and your horse will no doubt be eyeing up the opportunities for a gallop. Reach Gunzan camp in the afternoon.
During summer, herders graze this region, so it can be rather like riding through the Serengeti, but instead of zebras and wildebeast, we pass amongst herds of yaks, horses, sheep, goats, and camels. Once again you will experience the legendary hospitality of the local people.
After a final morning ride we drive south-west through desert-steppe to Khar Nuur, a desert lake where sand dunes meet crystal clear waters, or we drive north to Gandan Nuur, a lovely lake in the forest (depending on flights). Set up camp on the lake shore for two nights.
Khar Nuur or Gandan Nuur are perfect for relaxing after all that riding. Spend the day swimming, take a stroll on the dunes or in the forest, or just catch up on your diary.
Continue on to either Uliastai in the south, or Moron in the north, and fly back to Ulaanbaatar.
If you have time we will help with finding any last minute items to take home for friends and family, and you can see some more of the city. Finally we take you to the airport/train station and say farewell.
Everything (almost) is included from the time we meet in Ulaanbaatar on Day 1, until we say farewell on Day 17. There are no extra ‘local payments’, obligatory ‘tips’, or other hidden costs.
What’s not included?